Becerra said the businesses were sued in 2007 for failing to maintain underground storage tanks at gasoline stations, disabling leak detection devices and improperly handling hazardous wastes and substances.

Four years later, the companies were ordered to pay the state and several Northern California counties $6 million in penalties. The court suspended half of the penalty as long as they complied with environmental protection requirements.

Becerra says the companies didn't comply and that on Monday the court ordered them to pay the remaining $3 million in fines.